Steven Gerrard says the lure of Anfield made it easy to secure a stellar cast for this month’s Liverpool All-Star Charity Match.

Tickets for the showdown between Gerrard’s Select XI and Jamie Carragher’s Select XI on Sunday, March 29 (kick-off 3pm) sold out within three hours of going on general sale on Wednesday.

The match, which has been organised by the club’s official charity, Liverpool FC Foundation, and will be shown live on LFC TV, will involve some of the finest talent the two Kop greats have played with and against during their illustrious careers.

The event will raise in excess of £500,000 for the work of the Foundation as well as Alder Hey Hospital, Claire House children’s hospice, Positive Futures, Centre 56 and Cash for Kids.

“It’s going to be a fantastic occasion,” Gerrard said.

“The club brought the idea to us. As we’ve both already had testimonials we were a bit cautious at first.

“But when we got told it would be for Alder Hey, Claire House, and other good causes to do with the LFC Foundation, and that it wouldn’t be classed as any kind of second testimonial for either of us, we jumped at the opportunity.

“We both recently agreed to become ambassadors for Alder Hey. It’s close to both our hearts.

“The reaction from the players and the supporters, with it selling out so quickly, has been great. It shows that everyone in the city is passionate about giving a bit back.

“When I spoke to ex-players about coming back to play in front of a full house at Anfield one more time they were so excited.

“They loved the idea and with the charity angle as well the players were desperate to help good causes.”

This is a chance for a lot of Liverpool players to day goodbye

Carragher added: “Some of those Liverpool players never got the chance to say goodbye.

“Great players for the club just go. I’m thinking of Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Suarez. They will be delighted to come back and supporters will be looking forward to giving them a send-off for what they did for Liverpool.”

Among those involved from rival clubs will be Chelsea duo John Terry and Didier Drogba, Cardiff City’s Kirkby-born winger Craig Noone, and West Ham’s Kevin Nolan. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who retired back in December and is now a Sky Sports pundit, will also dust off his boots.

“I was with Thierry last night and he was more excited about playing in this game than myself,” Carragher said.

“If you ask players what their favourite away ground and atmosphere is they say Anfield.”

The fact John Terry to help the charities shows what sort of guy he is

Terry has always enjoyed a white-hot reception at Anfield but Gerrard is delighted his former England team-mate has agreed to play.

“I phoned John and straightaway he jumped at the opportunity,” Gerrard said.

“He could easily have said he didn’t want to come back to Liverpool, but he said he’d love to help the charities, and help Jamie and myself make it a big day.

“Many people in his position wouldn’t have come. He might get a bit of stick on the day but nothing he hasn’t taken before.

“That shows you what type of guy he is by coming and helping out. Credit to him.

“We’ve got good relationships with players from other clubs. It only took one phone call.

“They have had to do an awful lot of work to get the agreement of their own manager and their club and do the paperwork. I’m so happy with the reaction we’ve had.”

Gerrard picks dream front line of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres

Gerrard and Carragher met up at Melwood earlier this week to pick teams for the match. Gerrard’s XI will be managed by Brendan Rodgers with the boss of Carragher’s line up yet to be confirmed.

The current Liverpool captain, who is leaving to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, will rekindle his midfield double act with Alonso which helped the Reds clinch Champions League glory in 2005.

Gerrard will also have Suarez and Torres up front – a partnership Reds fans never got to see with Torres leaving to join Chelsea for £50million on the same day Suarez arrived from Ajax in January 2011.

“My strike partnership there is so exciting,” Gerrard said.

“It will be interesting to see if we can get Suarez and Torres on the pitch at the same time. They are the two best strikers I’ve ever played with.

“Xabi is the best midfielder I’ve ever played with. He will get us playing and control the tempo of the game.

“I think I’ve got all the big names – the ones who have done it on the big stage before.

“I am sure Brendan will be excited about the personnel he has got. He will pick our team, our formation, our tactics. Seeing how he has got Liverpool playing at the moment, Jamie should be worried. We’re interviewing for a manager for Jamie’s team but I’m not sure many are keen at the moment!”

Stevie has gone for the superstars - I've gone for a proper team

Carragher, who retired two years ago, will play alongside Martin Kelly and Arbeloa at the back. In midfield he has the likes of Meireles, Garcia, Jonjo Shelvey and Noone with a front three of Kuyt, Drogba and Bellamy.

“Jonjo will ruffle a few feathers against a couple of has-beens,” Carragher joked.

“Garcia and Kuyt always deliver in the big games.

“Stevie has gone for the super stars, the egos, the big names. If you look at his front 5, they aren’t going to come back and help too much. I’ve gone for a proper team and it looks balanced. I think mine will do the job.”

The two squads will be complemented by current Liverpool stars not on international duty as well as youngsters from the Academy. Meireles and Torres may yet have to drop out if they are called up to play for their country.

It might be a friendly but both captains insist it won’t be a stroll in the park.

“I’m looking forward to getting my boots back on,” Carragher said.

“I’m determined to ensure it will be a proper game. One of the reasons why it’s current players is we don’t want players running around with big bellies on them. That’s why Robbie (Fowler) hasn’t been invited!”

Gerrard added: “I don’t think you play the amount of games us two have played unless you are competitive.

“We’ve had training matches against each other when we’ve been desperate to win. You will see a competitive game.”